The 10 commandments

[James]

What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
landscape?

E.g.

1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules.

2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the
edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for
US, etc.] wheel tracks.

3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way.

4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and
after sunset.

5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in
to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left].

6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to
employ if needs be.

7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line.
Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or
not at all.

etc.

I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys
a bike (or helmet in this country).

Suggestions welcome.

--
JS

[Ralph Barone]

Be predictable, visible and legal (in that order).

[Dan O]

On May 23, 8:46 pm, Ralph Barone <address...@invalid.invalid> wrote:

Does "legal" not pretty much take care of "predictable"? And that
invisible thing... well, I've been working on it in the lab *forever*
and can't even seem to get close.

[Dan O]

Thou shalt think for thyself, be responsible for thine own actions,
and considerate of thine fellow creatures.

Other than that, Ride Bike!

[Ralph Barone]

Well, when driving, I tend to drive the speed of surrounding traffic, even
if they're speeding. That would be an example of predictable over legal.
As far as invisibility goes, you can come damn close if you want. Enter an
intersection beside a car, rather than between them. Wear dark clothes at
night and have no lights or reflectors. Come hurtling out of driveways onto
the road.

[Joy Beeson]

There is but one traffic law: "Thou shalt be predictable."

All else is commentary.

--
Joy Beeson
joy beeson at comcast dot net
http://www.debeeson.net/joy/
The above message is a Usenet post.
I don't recall having given anyone permission to use it on a Web site.

[Dan O]

On May 23, 9:32 pm, Ralph Barone <address...@invalid.invalid> wrote:

I get it. Sorry. It was all good advice. Sorry. (So sorry... )

It's just that being predictable means doing what other people expect
of me, right? It's okay (and essential) to a point. But a *rule*?
Rule #1? Blech! What a way to live.

Being visible, sure - but you really mean consciously *extra*
conspicuous. That's fine on a case-by-case as needed basis; but do I
need to, like, say to myself, "Self, you can't wear that nice,
comfortable, smart-looking shirt that you like so much - unless you
put this dayglo vest on over it... because the onus is on you to be
'visible'." - What kind of way to live is that? (And where do you
draw the line? Is it up there around the full road crew PPE and
Christmas lights array? Is the slope even more slippery than that?
Can't I just anticipate that some drivers aren't as attentive as they
ought and be prepared to stay out of their autopilot subsystem's
crosshairs? If I wear the dayglo-striped vest can I then merrily
pedal along and don't worry about it?)

And legal... well, you just admitted to breaking your own *third*
commandment - in a high-powered, lethal-inertia vehicle.

Again, sorry - I'm workin' on it :-)

[Dan O]

I wish I hadn't sent (any of) that - argument withdrawls, I guess. It
was good advice.

[Dan O]

On May 23, 7:21 pm, James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:

> What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
> bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
> landscape?
>

<snip>

>
> etc.
>
> I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys
> a bike (or helmet in this country).
>
> Suggestions welcome.
>

I would emphasize situational awareness. I think more important than
being predictable (whatever that is in any given circumstances) is
being able to predict, and knowing the limitations of same.

As for someone buying a helmet, I would advise them not to count on it
to save them, then loop back to #1 above.

Also, thou shalt take very good care of thine bike, and thine bike
will take comensurate good care of thou.

[James]

The idea behind being predictable is to give others the best opportunity
to coexist in harmony.

While you're on the road with traffic, would you argue against be
predictable as a general rule?

Of course, if you leave the road and others don't have to accommodate
your being where ever you are, you can do pretty much whatever you like
I guess.

> Being visible, sure - but you really mean consciously *extra*
> conspicuous. That's fine on a case-by-case as needed basis; but do I
> need to, like, say to myself, "Self, you can't wear that nice,
> comfortable, smart-looking shirt that you like so much - unless you
> put this dayglo vest on over it... because the onus is on you to be
> 'visible'." - What kind of way to live is that? (And where do you
> draw the line? Is it up there around the full road crew PPE and
> Christmas lights array? Is the slope even more slippery than that?
> Can't I just anticipate that some drivers aren't as attentive as they
> ought and be prepared to stay out of their autopilot subsystem's
> crosshairs? If I wear the dayglo-striped vest can I then merrily
> pedal along and don't worry about it?)

There is balance and moderation in almost all things. Visibility is one.

> And legal... well, you just admitted to breaking your own *third*
> commandment - in a high-powered, lethal-inertia vehicle.
>
> Again, sorry - I'm workin' on it :-)

Keeping up with the flow of traffic is almost defensible.

--
JS

[thirty-six]

On May 24, 3:21 am, James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
> bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
> landscape?

I don't. I take them to a public park and see that they are able to
ride a straight line, are able to get on and move off and stop and get
off without falling or otherwise losing control. Once I am satisfied
they can do these things (adjusting position to enable, if required) i
let them just ride without interruption for 1/2 hour. Lesson two is
checking over their shoulder while riding a steady line, I just hang
back and say I can't hear when they are speaking and they turn their
heads typically without much disturbance of control. Asking them to
look back typically brings fear to their minds and they are unable to
then keep control. You can't just give a checklist, it's not
appropriate as there is typically no understanding whatsoever, and the
inability to make accurate control has a greater bearing on their
survival than any specific instruction of public road use. Novices
should not ride during busy times or at night on public roads.
Guidance on road positioning may not be needed and if things are going
well, it is best not to interupt. We learn more by doing than by
being told what to do. Correction should rarely be necessary for an
attentive student.

>
> E.g.
>
> 1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules.
>
> 2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the
> edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for
> US, etc.] wheel tracks.

The true novice does not take up a kerb hugging position unless he/she
has been told otherwise. This is one of those things which is best
left unsaid in early rides as the will of the person is stronger when
they have an example to follow.

>
> 3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way.

Again, too much to think about, best left unsaid.

>
> 4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and
> after sunset.

Nope, not appropriate conditions for a novice rider.

>
> 5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in
> to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left].

Not really a commandment is it?

>
> 6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to
> employ if needs be.

I'd rather they kept their speed down and ride in places where
motorised traffic is sparse and slow.

>
> 7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line.
>  Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or
> not at all.

That's bullshit and may lead to unnecessary injury.

[thirty-six]

Good, and
Avoid getting killed at all costs. This may mean not riding bike at
some times in some places.

Don't ride beyond your ability.

Avoid falling off.

Avoid riding into other people or their property.

[James]

I like that.

--
JS

[T0m $herman]

On 5/23/2013 9:21 PM, James wrote:
> What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
> bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
> landscape?
>

>[...]
> Suggestions welcome.
>
Thou shall read: <http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html>.

--
T0m $herm@n

[Duane Hébert]

Signal your intentions to drivers and other riders.
Make eye contact when taking your right of way.
Don't pass another bike on the right.
Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing.

[Dan O]

On May 23, 10:35 pm, James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 24/05/13 15:15, Dan O wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 23, 9:32 pm, Ralph Barone <address...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >> Dan O <danover...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> On May 23, 8:46 pm, Ralph Barone <address...@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >>>> James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>>> What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
> >>>>> bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
> >>>>> landscape?
>

<snip>

>
> >>>>> Suggestions welcome.
>
> >>>> Be predictable, visible and legal (in that order).
>
> >>> Does "legal" not pretty much take care of "predictable"? And that
> >>> invisible thing... well, I've been working on it in the lab *forever*
> >>> and can't even seem to get close.
>
> >> Well, when driving, I tend to drive the speed of surrounding traffic, even
> >> if they're speeding. That would be an example of predictable over legal.
> >> As far as invisibility goes, you can come damn close if you want. Enter an
> >> intersection beside a car, rather than between them. Wear dark clothes at
> >> night and have no lights or reflectors. Come hurtling out of driveways onto
> >> the road.
>
> > I get it. Sorry. It was all good advice. Sorry. (So sorry... )
>
> > It's just that being predictable means doing what other people expect
> > of me, right? It's okay (and essential) to a point. But a *rule*?
> > Rule #1? Blech! What a way to live.
>
> The idea behind being predictable is to give others the best opportunity
> to coexist in harmony.
>

Being predictable means acting *only* within the range of expected
actions. I have zero control over others expectations (other than
setting them by example).

And "best"? Now we're talking about staying not only in their *range*
of expectations (I fully expected the driver of a passing SUV to chop
me off the other day - could just sense the aggresive expression
coming on), now we're talking about doing what they think *most*
likely. Why not just let the Central Scrutinizer program and
prescribe all actions in advance. Sound like Brave New World or 1984?

> While you're on the road with traffic, would you argue against be
> predictable as a general rule?
>

I said being predictable is essential - to a point; *somewhat*
predictable.

> Of course, if you leave the road and others don't have to accommodate
> your being where ever you are, you can do pretty much whatever you like
> I guess.
>

There you go. But can't I *use* the road, too, and pull squirrely
shit as long as I don't create a situation that requires
accommodation?

The problem is drivers see me doing something that they disapprove -
from a distance that has no practical effect on their situation, but
it makes them nervous because suddenly they are dealing with something
that isn't what they consider well behaved (and/or they resent my
freedom to do it and joyful exuberance doing it).

> > Being visible, sure - but you really mean consciously *extra*
> > conspicuous. That's fine on a case-by-case as needed basis; but do I
> > need to, like, say to myself, "Self, you can't wear that nice,
> > comfortable, smart-looking shirt that you like so much - unless you
> > put this dayglo vest on over it... because the onus is on you to be
> > 'visible'." - What kind of way to live is that? (And where do you
> > draw the line? Is it up there around the full road crew PPE and
> > Christmas lights array? Is the slope even more slippery than that?
> > Can't I just anticipate that some drivers aren't as attentive as they
> > ought and be prepared to stay out of their autopilot subsystem's
> > crosshairs? If I wear the dayglo-striped vest can I then merrily
> > pedal along and don't worry about it?)
>
> There is balance and moderation in almost all things. Visibility is one.
>

I thought I alluded to that in the case-by-case as needed; but at what
point is enough enough (just like predictability. If the onus is on
me to be *optimally* visible (and predictable), every once of life is
sucked out of the activity and all that's left is how (nearly)
perfectly can I follow the "rules".

> > And legal... well, you just admitted to breaking your own *third*
> > commandment - in a high-powered, lethal-inertia vehicle.
>

Legal to me is about the spirit and intent of the law - a basis for
social interaction - and about reasonableness in prosecution.

Our Consitution - the basis of our system of laws - begins with "...
and the pursuit of happiness."

> > Again, sorry - I'm workin' on it :-)
>
> Keeping up with the flow of traffic is almost defensible.
>

Unless you're a dyed-in-the-wool racer - in which case you have to do
even better than just "keeping up" :-)

[Dan O]

On May 23, 11:34 pm, "T0m $herman"

Excellent.

[Dan O]

We all send signals all the time (can't not communicate). Question
is, how perceptive is the receiver? How far and how clear must I be
in communicating my intention - especially if they will have no
practical impact requiring any cooperation.

> Make eye contact when taking your right of way.

Takes two to make eye contact. Of course I always try - not just when
takign right of way, but when "negotiating" any social interaction
(ala Hans Monderman).

> Don't pass another bike on the right.

Not even if I leave the orad to do it?

> Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing.

Won't that screw me up if he does the right thing? How about I just
expect anything... and nothing.

[Duane]

On 5/24/2013 10:35 AM, Dan O wrote:

Well James was asking for suggestions to impart to someone buying a
bike. We have a set of suggestions that we give to new members of our
cycling club, some of which he's already included. I thought I'd add a
few more.

I see riders pulling in front of cars and other bikes without
signalling. I see them stopping in front me in my car or my bike
without signalling. Same for turns, slowing whatever. Or do you have
some other form of communication in mind? <g>

>> Make eye contact when taking your right of way.
>
> Takes two to make eye contact. Of course I always try - not just when
> takign right of way, but when "negotiating" any social interaction
> (ala Hans Monderman).
>

I mean for example that when you come to a stop the same time the other
guy you make sure that they see you before taking off, even if you have
the right of way. I know this restricts your freedom somewhat but I've
seen a lot of people get into trouble because the driver wasn't looking
for them. Better to let the idiot go in that case.

>> Don't pass another bike on the right.
>
> Not even if I leave the orad to do it?

We're talking road use. If you mean that you will jump on the sidewalk
to pass me, I don't care as long as you don't dump back in front of me
without signalling. Or the cop doesn't hit me when he's chasing you
down. lol

>> Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing.
>
> Won't that screw me up if he does the right thing? How about I just
> expect anything... and nothing.

VC (again, notice the caps) doctrine is to "control the lane", I mean
expect the driver to not be controlled. You're rewording amounts to the
same thing, I think.

Lol, I know you don't like rules man but I don't think James is
intending you as a potential user of his commandments here.

[His Highness the Wise TibetanMonkey, Most Humble Philosopher]

Take into account that:

a) The driver may be trying to ignore you and will avoid eye contact,

b) He may have tinted windows in which case you should not take the
plunge.

Just sit there until the asshole is gone.

[Andre Jute]

On Friday, May 24, 2013 11:51:01 AM UTC+1, Duane Hébert wrote:

> Make eye contact when taking your right of way.

ANECDOTE WARNING

I go to the optician to have my eyes tested and new spectacles made. I normally get several sets made for different purposes, photochromatics for working at my computer in a room suffused with light day and night, yellow shooter's tints for riding at night, orange tints for most other outdoor purposes in daytime, polarizing for the few really bright sunny days of the year, untinted for social occasions when I want to give my dinner partner or business associates the full benefit of my magnetic personality. (Don't mess with Andre when he's wearing his clear specs. Especially if he has stopped smiling.)

This optician, too overweight to fit on a bike, says she will make me a pair of cycling glasses like I never had before. They turn out to be enormously expensive, even by her ripoff standards. They're wonderful all right. I can see the goddamn mountains thirty miles away and make out the ridge in which I once helped to rescue some stupid climbers who went out without proper gear or training. What I can't see, is the road any closer than twenty yards to me. Big deal. On those huge Big Apple tyres I just ride through whatever is on the road.

But what I really missed, and understood for the first time how important it is to me as a cyclist, was making eye contact with drivers from two feet to about thirty feet away, so that they could consciously register my presence as a human in motion. I hadn't thought until then on how much that helps in traffic.

And no, I don't have any problem with people avoiding eye contact. People here are generally friendly, and have no reason to fear strangers. The few idiots are soon straightened out. Anyway, someone deliberately avoiding eye contact should act as a warning to a cyclist to either not do what he was planning or to take extra care. I read refusal to make eye contact as hostile intent, and act accordingly.

I took the spectacles back after a single trial ride, refused to pay, demanded a new pair with my old, workable, prescription, and after that went to an optician who cycles with his kids, where I've been very happy. He also turns out to be half the price of the other one, who's now out of business.

Andre Jute

[Dan O]

On May 24, 7:51 am, Duane <duane.heb...@group-upc.com> wrote:
> On 5/24/2013 10:35 AM, Dan O wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 24, 3:51 am, Duane H bert<s...@flarn2.com> wrote:
> >> On 5/23/2013 10:21 PM, James wrote:
>
> >>> What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
> >>> bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
> >>> landscape?
>

<snip>

>
> >>> Suggestions welcome.
>
> >> Signal your intentions to drivers and other riders.
>
> > We all send signals all the time (can't not communicate). Question
> > is, how perceptive is the receiver? How far and how clear must I be
> > in communicating my intention - especially if they will have no
> > practical impact requiring any cooperation.
>
> Well James was asking for suggestions to impart to someone buying a
> bike. We have a set of suggestions that we give to new members of our
> cycling club, some of which he's already included. I thought I'd add a
> few more.
>

All good advice - all good; and I realize that I'm apt to become...
um, "exasperating" myself. (Please let me know and give me a chance
to be tolerant and appreciative of differing views.)

> I see riders pulling in front of cars and other bikes without
> signalling.

How immediately "in front of"? Does it cause a situation requiring
action to accommodate? Or maybe just create an unease in the observer
who now thinks that - because I leaped off the sidewalk and across
five (empty) lanes that I might swerve into his impending path such
that I will depend on him to keep me from becoming a creamed hood
ornament? Does that correlate?

> I see them stopping in front me in my car or my bike
> without signalling.

Well... um... what if a baby hedgehog steps out in front of them? You
expect them to signal before braking?

People fuss when I tell them their computer needs to be wiped clean
and rebuilt from scratch. Well, what if their hard drive had failed?

> Same for turns, slowing whatever. Or do you have
> some other form of communication in mind? <g>
>

You can't not communicate. Depending on how much cooperation or
accommodation may be needed, I may extend a greater effort to
expressly communicate my intentions - including negotiation (which may
be as simple as eye contact with conscious "connection" that creates a
mutual ~understanding).

> >> Make eye contact when taking your right of way.
>
> > Takes two to make eye contact. Of course I always try - not just when
> > takign right of way, but when "negotiating" any social interaction
> > (ala Hans Monderman).
>
> I mean for example that when you come to a stop the same time the other
> guy you make sure that they see you before taking off, even if you have
> the right of way. I know this restricts your freedom somewhat but I've
> seen a lot of people get into trouble because the driver wasn't looking
> for them. Better to let the idiot go in that case.
>

"Just sit there until the asshole is gone." (?)

Sorry, I *want* eye contact, but I won't be paralyzed waiting for it.
If I can't get it, and the collective other indications don't make me
comfortable proceeding e.g. in front of them, I may go around behind,
way out around with a variable heightened readiness, etc.

> >> Don't pass another bike on the right.
>
> > Not even if I leave the orad to do it?
>
> We're talking road use. If you mean that you will jump on the sidewalk
> to pass me, I don't care as long as you don't dump back in front of me
> without signalling. Or the cop doesn't hit me when he's chasing you
> down. lol
>

Well, I was thinking of that day I followed the huge bike tour out of
town on my old Stumpjumper (with ~fat slicks). There were flocks of
carbon fiber skinny tire racing rigs, and sometimes I would just take
to the unpaved shoulder to blow by them (calling out, "On your right"
first, of course).

> >> Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing.
>
> > Won't that screw me up if he does the right thing? How about I just
> > expect anything... and nothing.
>
> VC (again, notice the caps) doctrine is to "control the lane", I mean
> expect the driver to not be controlled. You're rewording amounts to the
> same thing, I think.
>

Yeah, I realized what you meant aftrer posting.

> Lol, I know you don't like rules man but I don't think James is
> intending you as a potential user of his commandments here.

It's cool - all good - all good advice.

[Dan O]

On May 24, 8:48 am, Dan O <danover...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 24, 7:51 am, Duane <duane.heb...@group-upc.com> wrote:
>
> > On 5/24/2013 10:35 AM, Dan O wrote:
>

<snip>

>
> > Lol, I know you don't like rules man but I don't think James is
> > intending you as a potential user of his commandments here.
>

What I don't like is being held to "expectations".

<snip>

[Dan O]

Understand, I am aware of expectations and the importance of meeting
and exceeding them for success in life. But *sometime* I gotta be me
and get my kicks (know what I mean?), and for me that opportunity most
usually happens to be going to and from work. I try not to infringe
others peaceable completion of their lifeless transportation chore,
but don't count me into that scene.

[Duane]

It depends. If you're in my pack and I'm on your wheel, then quite
close. Otherwise depends on how fast we're both going. It comes down
to whether I have to react or in case of a car, whether they do.
You can't do anything about people seeing you in the distance and
getting annoyed.

>> I see them stopping in front me in my car or my bike
>> without signalling.
>
> Well... um... what if a baby hedgehog steps out in front of them? You
> expect them to signal before braking?
>

lol. I guess take out the hedgehog.

> People fuss when I tell them their computer needs to be wiped clean
> and rebuilt from scratch. Well, what if their hard drive had failed?
>
>> Same for turns, slowing whatever. Or do you have
>> some other form of communication in mind?<g>
>>
>
> You can't not communicate. Depending on how much cooperation or
> accommodation may be needed, I may extend a greater effort to
> expressly communicate my intentions - including negotiation (which may
> be as simple as eye contact with conscious "connection" that creates a
> mutual ~understanding).
>

Um, I guess...

>>>> Make eye contact when taking your right of way.
>>
>>> Takes two to make eye contact. Of course I always try - not just when
>>> takign right of way, but when "negotiating" any social interaction
>>> (ala Hans Monderman).
>>
>> I mean for example that when you come to a stop the same time the other
>> guy you make sure that they see you before taking off, even if you have
>> the right of way. I know this restricts your freedom somewhat but I've
>> seen a lot of people get into trouble because the driver wasn't looking
>> for them. Better to let the idiot go in that case.
>>
>
> "Just sit there until the asshole is gone." (?)
>
> Sorry, I *want* eye contact, but I won't be paralyzed waiting for it.
> If I can't get it, and the collective other indications don't make me
> comfortable proceeding e.g. in front of them, I may go around behind,
> way out around with a variable heightened readiness, etc.
>

Sure. The idea is to not pull out in front of someone in a hunk of iron
if you don't know that they see you.

>>>> Don't pass another bike on the right.
>>
>>> Not even if I leave the orad to do it?
>>
>> We're talking road use. If you mean that you will jump on the sidewalk
>> to pass me, I don't care as long as you don't dump back in front of me
>> without signalling. Or the cop doesn't hit me when he's chasing you
>> down. lol
>>
>
> Well, I was thinking of that day I followed the huge bike tour out of
> town on my old Stumpjumper (with ~fat slicks). There were flocks of
> carbon fiber skinny tire racing rigs, and sometimes I would just take
> to the unpaved shoulder to blow by them (calling out, "On your right"
> first, of course).
>

You'd get shit around here. I mean like a frame pump in the back, not a
cop or anything.

[Duane]

Hmm. My commute is not a lifeless transportation chore. Don't assume
that people less outre than you are not enjoying themselves.

[Dan O]

On May 24, 9:06 am, Duane <duane.heb...@group-upc.com> wrote:
> On 5/24/2013 11:48 AM, Dan O wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 24, 7:51 am, Duane<duane.heb...@group-upc.com> wrote:
> >> On 5/24/2013 10:35 AM, Dan O wrote:
>
> >>> On May 24, 3:51 am, Duane H bert<s...@flarn2.com> wrote:

<snip>

>
> >>>> Don't pass another bike on the right.
>
> >>> Not even if I leave the orad to do it?
>
> >> We're talking road use. If you mean that you will jump on the sidewalk
> >> to pass me, I don't care as long as you don't dump back in front of me
> >> without signalling. Or the cop doesn't hit me when he's chasing you
> >> down. lol
>
> > Well, I was thinking of that day I followed the huge bike tour out of
> > town on my old Stumpjumper (with ~fat slicks). There were flocks of
> > carbon fiber skinny tire racing rigs, and sometimes I would just take
> > to the unpaved shoulder to blow by them (calling out, "On your right"
> > first, of course).
>
> You'd get shit around here. I mean like a frame pump in the back, not a
> cop or anything.
>

Bring it. (These guys didn't have the juice to stay in front of a
hippy on a friggin' mountain bike.)

<snip>

[Dan O]

Then why the expectation to constrain my actions - to drag me down in
situations where I am simply doing my thing and asking nothing from
them in terms of accommodation - just not to have a cow because they
disaprove of my playful nonconformity. (I was *mostly* talking about
cagers, but it's even weirder when it comes from somebody else on a
bike.)

[Duane]

Wouldn't come up then unless it was a pretty zippy hippy. lol.

I'm thinking of the guy on the Venge with the aero kit blowing by me on
the right when I'm doing 35 in a pack. Thought he was running a TT or
something. Probably was training for it on a road with other bikes and
figured he owned it or something.

[Duane]

You're too sensitive dude. Not having a cow. Well not today. I guess
it depends on what you mean by accommodation.

Like I said, I doubt James had you in mind as a target audience when he
posted this question.

[His Highness the Wise TibetanMonkey, Most Humble Philosopher]

On May 24, 11:45 am, Andre Jute <fiult...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Friday, May 24, 2013 11:51:01 AM UTC+1, Duane Hébert wrote:
> > Make eye contact when taking your right of way.
>
> ANECDOTE WARNING
>
> I go to the optician to have my eyes tested and new spectacles made. I normally get several sets made for different purposes, photochromatics for working at my computer in a room suffused with light day and night, yellow shooter's tints for riding at night, orange tints for most other outdoor purposes in daytime, polarizing for the few really bright sunny days of the year, untinted for social occasions when I want to give my dinner partner or business associates the full benefit of my magnetic personality. (Don't mess with Andre when he's wearing his clear specs. Especially if he has stopped smiling.)
>
> This optician, too overweight to fit on a bike, says she will make me a pair of cycling glasses like I never had before. They turn out to be enormously expensive, even by her ripoff standards. They're wonderful all right. I can see the goddamn mountains thirty miles away and make out the ridge in which I once helped to rescue some stupid climbers who went out without proper gear or training. What I can't see, is the road any closer than twenty yards to me. Big deal. On those huge Big Apple tyres I just ride through whatever is on the road.
>
> But what I really missed, and understood for the first time how important it is to me as a cyclist, was making eye contact with drivers from two feet to about thirty feet away, so that they could consciously register my presence as a human in motion. I hadn't thought until then on how much that helps in traffic.
>
> And no, I don't have any problem with people avoiding eye contact. People here are generally friendly, and have no reason to fear strangers. The few idiots are soon straightened out. Anyway, someone deliberately avoiding eye contact should act as a warning to a cyclist to either not do what he was planning or to take extra care. I read refusal to make eye contact as hostile intent, and act accordingly.

You must get ready for the people that are NOT friendly. Should you
fight or survive?

On my way here I witnessed a van making a turn into three tourists
while they were walking with the light. The driver blasted the horn
and the tourists just froze. Why would have happened if they didn't?
The next vehicle --I assume-- then finds them in the middle of the
street and wonders if they are idiots.

I just get sad at the inhumanity and indifference of the system to
crack down on these aggressive drivers.

[Radey Shouman]

Surely the grammar's wrong:

Also, thou shalt take very good care of thy bike, and thy bike
will take comensurate good care of thee.

--

[His Highness the Wise TibetanMonkey, Most Humble Philosopher]

On May 24, 2:21 pm, Radey Shouman <shou...@comcast.net> wrote:

A sense of humor always helps. I read in the Miami Beach Magazine that
we were among the top 10 cities for biking and walking in America.
They must be talking at best of the little community of "South Beach,"
somewhat smaller than Key West. But Key West has speeding and reckless
driving under control and we don't.

[Dan O]

I recognize a familiar pattern of misunderstanding going on here :-)

I'm not saying that *you're* having a cow.

It started out with the proposition that the bicyclist in traffic
should "be predictable". Be predictable to whom? The cagers, of
course. I'm talking about matching the cagers' expectations, and
*them* having a cow when I don't.

However, many people here *are* - and still others here have
vehemently in the past - suggested that I should be predictable, which
can only be taken to mean I should behave in a way that meets cager
expectations. Fortunately, the people here (at least in the present
discussion), acknowledge "it depends".

Moreover, _I_ acknowledge the importance of consideration. I
*consider* perceived and sensed expectations, weigh them into my
decisions, consider the effects of deviating from them, and often
override what would be my preference otherwise and instead follow the
course of action that fulfills them - (often) - but they won't rule my
life (and sometimes I am probably driven to choose the *opposite*
course of action just because "I'm a loner, Dottie - a rebel.")

Yes, I am too sensitive. Maybe there's a class that will harden me
the fuck up :-)

> Like I said, I doubt James had you in mind as a target audience when he
> posted this question.

Yeah, I hope that I don't come off like... well...

Trevor had it pretty good, though. I think someone just starting out
(riding a bicycle on the roads with all the other modes of traffic -
mainly the one other mode, of course) should:

1) Grok the whole situational awareness thing.

2) Know the laws.

3) Know that it's not even remotely as dangerous as most people seem
to think.

4) Know that following the law will not make them safe.

5) Know how to tell when something's wrong with their bike.

6) Know that a helmet is what it is and nothing more.

7) Know that just about anything you haven't encountered before (and
plenty of what you already have) is a potential learning experience.

8) Know that passive reflectors are very effective _when aimed at the
light source_, i.e. car headlights. Get the best headlight you can
afford. Looking like an accident scene with flashing lights will get
attention but you just want to be acknowledged when it matters and not
necessarily the roving center of attention.

9) Know how to fix a flat tire at the side of the road.

10) Know the routes you've programmed yourself to use getting places
in your car? Those are probably the *worst* routes you can use on
your bike. The bike opens up a world of new and better options.
Explore them.

[Dan O]

On May 24, 4:47 pm, Dan O <danover...@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

> I think someone just starting out
> (riding a bicycle on the roads with all the other modes of traffic -
> mainly the one other mode, of course) should:
>
> 1) Grok the whole situational awareness thing.

1a) Know your escape route (also the first rule of wildland
firefighting)

1b) Anything that could happen, might happen

1c) Use your ability to relate to others to be inside their head and
~predict their behavior

1d) Realize that some people are incomprehensible, and your
expectations of them will be necessarily more fuzzy than people you
can relate to, but learn as many of the unfathomable things they are
apt to do anyway, keeping in mind that they'll still surprise you

1e) Realize that many people will expect you to do what they consider
the worst possible thing, but then pretend to be aghast when you do

1f) Doors open

1g) All dogs think you look like an Antelope or something

1h) Truck drivers are generally more skilled as a group than drivers
of private cars, but can also have a special animosity for bicyclists.

1i) The laws of physics are immutable

1j) Know thyself

<snip>

[Ralph Barone]

Dan O <danov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 23, 7:21 pm, James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a
>> bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads
>> landscape?
>>
>
> <snip>
>
>>
>> etc.
>>
>> I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys
>> a bike (or helmet in this country).
>>
>> Suggestions welcome.
>>
>
> I would emphasize situational awareness. I think more important than
> being predictable (whatever that is in any given circumstances) is
> being able to predict, and knowing the limitations of same.
>
> As for someone buying a helmet, I would advise them not to count on it
> to save them, then loop back to #1 above.
>
> Also, thou shalt take very good care of thine bike, and thine bike
> will take comensurate good care of thou.

Yup, should have added situational awareness to my list. Note that your
predictability, visibility and legality help OTHER road users achieve THEIR
situational awareness, so there is a bit of duality going on there.

[Dan O]

On May 24, 5:44 pm, Ralph Barone <address...@invalid.invalid> wrote:

I did notice that as I was thinking about the importance of predicting
what others may do; and I *do* always consider how what I'm about to
do might affect them in light of what I perceive (or imagine) to be
their expectations. But some people are incomprehensible and
unfathomable. Perhaps I am one.

It's just that sometimes I probably choose the course of action that I
specifically calculate will deny their appeasement. That's a
rebellion thing. I don't mean to be confrontational about it (unless
they started it), but I probably do need to work on not rubbing their
noses in their pathetic circumstances - the difficulties and
constraints of driving a car in traffic. That's a superiority thing -
turning the assumed sense of car superiority on its head for them.

[thirty-six]

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

There are a few others but this alone should remind you that unless
there has been a contractual arrangement for you to behave in a
certain way, usually for something called employment of which you may
receive tokens in exchange for your labour value, then you have no
obligation to follow any regulations dreamed-up by the gang-masters,
even when those non-applicable regulations are colloquially called
"laws" by the policy officers.
If arrested, the correct answer is "I do not under-stand". Without
those bits of paper with your mark on it which show your agreement,
they can not lawfully arrest and detain you, unless you agree with
their POV or you under-stand.

>
> 3)  Know that it's not even remotely as dangerous as most people seem
> to think.
>
> 4)  Know that following the law will not make them safe.

For good reason or reasonable excuse (if you want to play their game),
see law 1

>
> 5)  Know how to tell when something's wrong with their bike.
>
> 6)  Know that a helmet is what it is and nothing more.

Something to keep head warm in cold weather, to keep head dry in wet
weather, protective gear for combat or in reality a headress to
symbolise such protective gear. In the absence of inclement weather,
it is the latter which is subconsciously perceived by many A
fractured skull is not pleasant but it is more likely that one will be
taken down by a blow to the neck than to the head. The "bicycle
helmet" is thus next to worthless not only for regular cycling but
also for combat, of which it's image does provoke due to
confrontational suggestion.

>
> 7)  Know that just about anything you haven't encountered before (and
> plenty of what you already have) is a potential learning experience.
>
> 8)  Know that passive reflectors are very effective _when aimed at the
> light source_, i.e. car headlights.  Get the best headlight you can
> afford.  Looking like an accident scene with flashing lights will get
> attention but you just want to be acknowledged when it matters and not
> necessarily the roving center of attention.
>
> 9)  Know how to fix a flat tire at the side of the road.

Practice is required and this should not be performed by an
accompanying rider, to save time, under normal conditions.

[Dan O]

On May 24, 7:59 pm, thirty-six <thirty-...@live.co.uk> wrote:
> On May 25, 12:47 am, Dan O <danover...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

<snip>

> > course of action just because "I'm a loner, Dottie - a rebel.")
>
> > Yes, I am too sensitive. Maybe there's a class that will harden me
> > the fuck up :-)
>
> > > Like I said, I doubt James had you in mind as a target audience when he
> > > posted this question.
>
> > Yeah, I hope that I don't come off like... well...
>
> > Trevor had it pretty good, though. I think someone just starting out
> > (riding a bicycle on the roads with all the other modes of traffic -
> > mainly the one other mode, of course) should:
>
> > 1) Grok the whole situational awareness thing.
>
> > 2) Know the laws.
>
> 1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
>
> There are a few others but this alone should remind you that unless
> there has been a contractual arrangement for you to behave in a
> certain way, usually for something called employment of which you may
> receive tokens in exchange for your labour value, then you have no
> obligation to follow any regulations dreamed-up by the gang-masters,
> even when those non-applicable regulations are colloquially called
> "laws" by the policy officers.
> If arrested, the correct answer is "I do not under-stand". Without
> those bits of paper with your mark on it which show your agreement,
> they can not lawfully arrest and detain you, unless you agree with
> their POV or you under-stand.
>

Absolutely. Damn straight.

I just say *know* the laws, because from them you can derive the
reasonable expectations vis a vis the spirit and intent.

With that in mind, tear it up.


<snip>

[His Highness the Wise TibetanMonkey, Most Humble Philosopher]

In trying to be predictable, we turned right into a three lane road
and occupied the left lane with our bikes to make a left two blocks
later. All of sudden we heard a big cacophony and it was a riot going
on behind our back. The drivers were absolutely adamant that we left
the road to them. Hey, forget about the law. It happened in front of
the police station. And this is a "nice" neighborhood and they had two
lanes all to themselves.

Never forget this: they do it because they can.

[Király]

James <james.e...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Suggestions welcome.

Never, ever ride in the door zone. I've never been hit by an opening
door, because I never ride in the door zone.

--
K.

Lang may your lum reek.

[Dan O]

On May 26, 8:55 pm, m...@home.spamsucks.ca (Király) wrote:

> James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Suggestions welcome.
>
> Never, ever ride in the door zone. I've never been hit by an opening
> door, because I never ride in the door zone.
>

Good advice (all good advice), but I hesitate to deal in absolutes,
and have taken a ~calculated risk now and then (for some tradeoff
reason or other), and my luck has held (in this regard).

[Dan O]

On May 26, 9:55 pm, Dan O <danover...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 26, 8:55 pm, m...@home.spamsucks.ca (Király) wrote:
>
> > James <james.e.stew...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Suggestions welcome.
>
> > Never, ever ride in the door zone. I've never been hit by an opening
> > door, because I never ride in the door zone.
>
> Good advice (all good advice), but I hesitate to deal in absolutes,

... especially absolute prohibitions -

[Andre Jute]

On Monday, May 27, 2013 11:25:53 PM UTC+1, Phil W Lee wrote:
> m...@home.spamsucks.ca (Király) considered Mon, 27 May 2013 03:55:51

>
> +0000 (UTC) the perfect time to write:
>
>
>
> >James <james.e...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> Suggestions welcome.
>
> >
>
> >Never, ever ride in the door zone. I've never been hit by an opening
>
> >door, because I never ride in the door zone.
>
>
>

> And the penalty for any official who creates doorzone bikes lanes
>
> should be to be dragged along the entire length of them by the ankles,
>
> naked.
>
>
>
> Then given a nice stimulating antiseptic bath in iodine - after all,
>
> we wouldn't want to be uncivilized about it.

Of course, some people exhibit a reaction to iodine so violent that it can be life-threatening.

Andre Jute